On Day 2 of the New England Patriots training camp, significant developments unfolded under the fresh leadership of first-year head coach Jerod Mayo. With Mayo at the helm, the team made strategic adjustments that set the tone for the upcoming season.
Quarterback Battle Intensifies
Jacoby Brissett stood out by securing first-team reps, a clear indicator of Mayo's intention to shake things up. Brissett displayed his prowess by completing nine of his 13 passes in competitive drills and hitting the mark on two of his four attempts in 11-on-11 situations.
Following Brissett in the pecking order were Drake Maye and Joe Milton III. Maye delivered an impressive performance, completing 10 of his 12 passes in competitive drills. However, his 11-on-11 performance was marred by a miscommunication with Tyquan Thornton and a drop by tight end Jaheim Bell.
Joe Milton III, who was chosen over Bailey Zappe for competitive drills, completed four of his six passes, demonstrating why he was given the nod over Zappe, who was relegated to the fourth quarterback spot. Zappe completed two of his three throws during minicamp work but found himself demoted.
Offensive Line Adjustments
The offensive line saw significant rotation, particularly in the right tackle position. Calvin Anderson, Caedan Wallace, and Vederian Lowe all vied for the spot, with Mike Onwenu holding his ground at right guard. Day 1 saw Anderson and Wallace primarily filling the right tackle role, but Day 2 introduced more variability as Lowe took substantial snaps.
Wallace and Anderson also contributed on the left side on Day 2, indicating Mayo's strategy of maximizing flexibility and depth across the offensive line.
Targets and Reps
Wide receiver Tyquan Thornton received increased reps and targets during 7-on-7 drills, while Jaheim Bell had another notable drop during drills. Veteran receiver Kendrick Bourne attended practice but remained sidelined due to his ongoing recovery from a torn ACL.
Defensive Observations
On the defensive side, Marcus Jones made a notable play by breaking up a pass intended for Ja'Lynn Polk during the first competitive 7-on-7 period. Meanwhile, Christian Gonzalez is projected to secure one boundary cornerback spot, with Jonathan Jones likely to cover the opposite side.
Conversations and Contracts
Off the field, Robert Kraft had noteworthy conversations with key personnel, including a discussion with pass rusher Matthew Judon regarding his contract status and another with executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf.
Limited Participants
Running back Antonio Gibson returned to practice but saw limited activities, showcasing caution as he works his way back to full participation. Wide receiver DeMario Douglas engaged only in individual drills, abstaining from 7-on-7 or 11-on-11 sessions.
Miscellaneous Notes
Antonio Mafi had a poor snap with Milton at quarterback during afternoon drills, highlighting an area that needs attention as the camp progresses.
Head coach Jerod Mayo emphasized the team's strategy and approach, stating, “We’re always going to take the mindset of we’re going to do what’s best for the organization and we’re going to try to get those guys reps so they can compete.” He added, “I don't know if that means four or three, honestly. Right now we have four quarterbacks and those guys will go out there and practice today.”
With Mayo's clear approach and the various shifts in player roles and performance, the training camp is setting an intriguing stage for the New England Patriots as they prepare for the season ahead. The coming days will undoubtedly provide further clarity on who will emerge as key contributors under this new regime.